Home Picking

Every season, there are fruit-producing trees and bushes whose abundance isn't completely consumed by their families. Working with a network of donors from all over the Bay Area that allow volunteers into their homes' backyards, we clear these trees and donate the extra fruits to the local foodbanks.

Clearing Community Trees

Many families in Marin have fruit trees and vegetable gardens on their property that produce so much that these valuable foods aren't finished. In an effort to reduce food waste, volunteers visit donors' homes on negotiated days to clear their bounties—and donors don't have to lift a finger!

Donating the Produce

Fruits of Labor volunteers transport their gathered produce to local foodbank such as the SF-Marin Food Bank. These fruits are either donated through Fruits of Labor or in donors' names upon request.

Tools

Volunteers bring their own transportation containers in the form of cardboard boxes and paper bags (though more is always welcome!), fruit pickers, gloves, and ladders.

Leaving Produce

Fruits of Labor volunteers leave as much produce upon request for donors to keep and consume—they're your trees!

IS MY FRUIT RIPE?

General

fruits have fallen from the trees
they separate from the branch with light pressure and a few twists

Apples

Season

August and September

Few Pointers

the apples begin to turn red
the inner seeds have turned brown
tastes and smells sweet
apples on the same tree can ripen at different times—those exposed to more sun ripen faster

Pears

Season

August to October

Few Pointers

color turns light yellow-green
any spots on the skin turn from brown to white
the skin itself turns waxy and smooth
the seeds have turned brown

Plums

Season

June through October

Few Pointers

they give a little when you squish them
they begin to turn from green to the proper color—depends on the type!
plums don't ripen off the trees

Persimmons

Season

October through December

Few Pointers

bright orange in color
pick when still firm but they're beginning to soften because they ripen off the trees

Peaches

Season

July and August

Few Pointers

turns from green to pinkish-orange
softens—it has some give when squeezed
distinctive "peach" smell around the tree